How to Reinstall a Brake Drum

Drum brakes are usually found on the rear tires of most cars because they are cheap to manufacture, but they are also difficult to service. Reinstalling your brake drums is essential to keeping your car safe and ensuring that your brakes work when you need them the most.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Take the tires off your brakes with brake drums. These are usually found in the rear of the vehicle.

2. Remove the brake drum from the brake spindle by sliding it off the pegs holding it in place. Set it aside.

3. Lie on your back so that you're looking at the bottom of the brake spindle. Use a screwdriver to pop out the rubber plug holding your star wheel in place.

4. Face the brake spindle again and place the drum back on the spindle. Determine how loose the brake drum is on the spindle by trying to turn in clockwise. If it is very loose, turn the star wheel toward the bottom of the spindle with a pair of pliers or side cuts.

5. Replace the brake drum and check the looseness again. Continue to make adjustments to the star wheel until you get just a light drag from the brake drum.

Tips & Warnings

• The adjustment of the star wheel closes the distance between the shoe and the drum surface. This prevents you from having to close that distance with the brake pedal.
• Before reinstalling the drum, check all the parts of the brake for wear. Lubricate the brake spindle and the bearings to make sure there's no unwanted friction. Also remove all old grease and repack the dust caps and bearings.

Resources

• Breaks down the installation of brakes